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EXCURSION 

PLANNED FOR THE 

CITY HISTORY CLUB 

OF 

NEW YORK 

BY 

FRANK BERGEN KELLEY, A. M., Ph. D. 

No. XI— HISTORIC QUEEN5. 

Compiled from an unpublished Manuscript entitled 

"ANCIENT LANDMARKS OF QUEENS BOROUGH." 
By J. H. I N N E S 

Author of "New Amsterdam and Its People," "The Old Bark Mill, or First 
Place of Religious Worship in New York," etc, 

PRICE, 10 CENTS. 

Mailed on receipt of price by The City History Club, 
23 W. 44th Street. 



Copyright, 1908, by the City History Club of New York. 



mi 



Object.— The City History Club (founded in 1896) hast or its object the study of the history 
of the City of New York, in the hope of awakening an interest in its past development and tradi- 
tions and in the possibilities of its future, such educational work being for the improvement, up- 
lifting and civic betterment of the community. 

To that end a series of historical excursions was planned which, from time to time, it has, 
been found necessary to revise in order (1) to correct errors due to misinformation, of which 
even standard books of New York history are not entirely free ; (2) to keep pace with the march 
of improvements whereby the topography of the City is constantly changing; and (3) to add ma- 
terial as new light is shed on the past and as new tablets and monuments are erected to mark 
historic sites. 

By its efforts, literature, lectures, and by these historical excursions, interest in city history 
lias been awakened since the organization of the Club, and many students have devoted their 
time to research and study of life in old New York. To those who, influenced by their example, 
desire to enter upon the fascinating acquisition of knowledge of our great City's growth, the fol- 
lowing books will be helpful : Todd's "Story of New York " (Putnam); Goodwin's "Historic 
New York," two bound volumes composed of 24 monographs ; " Ihe Half Moon Series," which 
may be purchased separately ; Hemstreet's "Literary Landmarks of New York " (Putnam); 
Janvier's " In Old New York " (Harper); Hemstreet's " Nooks and Corners of Old New York " 
and " When Old New York was Young"; Iniies' " New Amsterdam and Its People" (Scrib- 
ner); Ulmann's " Landmark History of New York" (Appleton); R. R. Wilson's "New York 
Old and New" (Lippincott). 

SPECIAL WORKS ON QUEENS BOROUGH. 

B. F.Thompson's "History of Long Island," 2 vols., 1843, gives general information in re- 
gard to the various towns; Nathaniel S. Prime's " History of Long Island " includes many inter- 
esting particulars as to church matters, though containing some inaccuracies; Gabriel Furman's 
" .'Vniiquities of Long Island," 1875; Henry Onderdonck's "Queens County in Olden Times," 
1865; Munsell's " History of Queens County"; James Riker, Jr.'s " Annals of Newtown," 1852, 
full of valuable information, but out of print and scarce; Wm. O'Gorman (Town Clerk of New 
town) wrote a number of newspaper articles on Newtown, 1880-1890, of which a complete set- 
may be found in the New York Historical Society library — besides extracts from Riker, he in- 
cludes much from his own observations and inquiries; J. H. Innes' "Ancient Newtown, for- 
merly Middelburg "—a series of 23 newspaper articles published in 1898 — a complete set may be 
tound in the libraries of the State m Albany and of the New York Historical Society, J. H. 
Innes' " New Amsterdam and its People," 1902, contains many allusions to Newtown and Flush- 
ing ; H. D. Waller's "History of the Town of Flushing," 1899; John Davis' "Travels in 
America, ' 1803, contains references to Newtown ; John Fowler's "Journal of a Tour in New 
York," 1831; pages 25-36 refer mostly to Flushing ; see also allusions in R. R. Wilson's " His- 
torical Long Island," 1902, and M. B. Flint's " Early Life in Long Island," 1896. 

The City History Club would greatly appreciate correctioiis and additions to the points cov- 
ered in this excursion, especially ij authorities are guoted. 

N. B. — The City History Club is greatly indebted to Mr. J. H. Innes, through whose 
scholarship, unwearied energy and courtesy this EXCURSION has been made possible. 

Thanks are also due for research and the preparation of copy and charts for the press to 
'teachers and students of the Bryant, Jamaica and De Witt Clinton High Schools, and to many 
, residents of Flushing, Newtown and Jamaica. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

The Borough of Queens of the City of New York was formed on Janu- 
ary I, 1898, from the former townships of Newtown, Flushing and Jamaica, 
together with Long Island City and a small portion of the town of Hemp- 
stead, embracing the Far Rockaway and Rockaway Beach district of that 
town. This territory, forming the western portion of the old County of 
Queens, was reorganized at the time mentioned and became the County of 
Queens, while the eastern portion of the former county received a new 
organization and became known as the County of Nassau. 

The first settlements in this territory were made by individual Dutch 
farmers from 1637 to 1656, under grants from the Director-General and 
Council at New Amsterdam, in what may be described in a general way as 
the districts forming the present Long Island City. They were under the 
direct supervision of New Amsterdam authorities and were known as the 
" Out Plantations." The remainder of the present borough was settled 
entirely by colonists from various parts of New England under grants from 
the Dutch authorities at New Amsterdam. They received township govern- 
ments, but modelled after the Dutch form, and their villages received 
Dutch appellations. There were, however, originally no Dutch settlers 
among them except in one or two isolated cases. In course of time many 
Dutch bought lands among them. These settlements were made as fol- 
lows: In the spring of 1642 a patent was issued to Rev. Francis Doughty 
((or himself and a party of associates) of the remainder of the land included 
in the former town of Newtown. Under this patent a settlement was be- 
gun, principally along the Mespat Kill, afterward known as Newtown Creek, 
but it was destroyed in the Indian war of 1643. In 1644 Heemstede 
(Hempstead) was settled by a company from Watertown, Wethersfieldand 
Stamford in New England. In 1645-6 Vlissingen (Flushing) was settled, 
and in 1652 Middelburg (Newtown), in the old Doughty patent, — in both 
cases by colonists from Massachusetts and Connecticut, while in 1656 Rust- 
dorp (Jamaica) was settled by a party from Hempstead and Flushing. 
The above were the only settlements in the territory of the borough for a 
long period, except that in 1656, after the second Indian war, the inhabi- 
tants along the .Mespat Kill were for a short time gathered for security into 
a village called Arnhem, on what was known as Smith's Island (E, Map p. 
20) in the Mes|)at Kill; this village was abandoned in 1662. 



The history of Hempstead and Jamaica was uneventful during the 
Dutch rule, but in Flushing and in Middeiburg there was considerable dis- 
satisfaction, the people of the latter place going so far as to attempt to put 
themselves under the jurisdiction of Connecticut and to alter the name of 
their town to " Hastings " in 1663. After the surrender to the English in 
1664, these towns were organized for the purposes of civil administration 
into what was known as the IVcs/ Riding of Yorkshire (in analogy to the 
civil divisions bearing the same name in Yorkshire, England), with a Ses- 
sions House for judicial and administrative business at Jamaica The 
names of the towns were now changed, but " Heemstede " beingso similar 
in form to the English town of Hempstead, and " Vlissingen ' being so 
well known to the English under the name of Flushing, these forms were 
retained, while Rustdorp reverted to its Indian name of Jamaica, and Mid- 
deiburg received the name of Newtown, together with a patent in 1667 by 
which the former "Out Plantations" were added to it. In 1683 these 
towns, together with the eastern town of Oyster Bay, were united to form 
the County of Queens with its court house and other county buildings at 
Jamaica. This organization remained undisturbed until after the Revolu- 
tion. In 1814 Jamaica, then with a population of 1500, became an incor- 
porated village, as did Flushing in 1837, with a population of about 2000. 
Soon after the introduction of steam navigation, and as early as 181 1, 
Astoria began to attract attention as a place of suburban residence and in 
1839 it was incorporated as a village. About 1853-4 Whitestone (formerly 
a mere hamlet) began to grow from the establishment there of a factory of 
tinned and japanned ware, while College Point owed its growth as a village 
at about the same time to the setting up of a factory of hard rubber ware, 
though it was not incorporated until 1880. 

In 1836 the Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad was opened, its first time- 
table taking effect on April 26 of that year. On March i, 1837, under the 
auspices of the Long Island Railroad, it was opened through Queens 
County to Hicksville, and to its terminus in Greenporl in 1844. The New 
York and Flushing Railroad was opened June 26, 1854, its East River 
terminus being a dock at Hunter's Point near the mouth of Newtown Creek, 
from which it connected a few times daily with one of the Harlem boats 
for the lower part of New York. In 1861 the terminus of the Long Island 
Railroad was changed from Brooklyn to Hunters's Point, soon after which 
the latter place began to grow rapidly until, in 1871, with Astoria, Dutch 
Kills and the surrounding districts, it was incorporated as Long Island 
City. 



SECTION I.— HUNTER'S POINT AND STEINWAY TO NORTH 

BEACH. 

(Figures and letters refer to Map, p. 20.) 

Thiriy-fourtJi Street Ferry to Hunter s Point, Steinway trolley to Barn 
Street near end of Qiieensboro Bridge. 

A. Dominies Hook. — Originally an island surrounded by salt water 
marshes, possessed by Dominie Everardus Bogardus and his wife Anneke 
Jans Bogardus, about 1642; later confirmed by patent, and still later owned 
by the Bennett family, who sold much of it to Dr. Nott of Union College, 
from whom it came to the trustees of that institution. In 1842 it was con- 
nected with Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Ravenswood and Astoria by a 
turnpike, now known as Vernon Avenue. In 1854 the New York and 
Flushing Railroad was opened, starting from a pier at the foot of Newtown 
Creek, with boat connection to New York. It was now for a short time 
called Nottston, and became a subject for land speculation. In 1861 it be- 
came the terminal for the L. I. R. R., and began to grow under the name 
of Hunter's Point. 

The original farmhouse was on the shore of Newtown Creek, near the 
present bridge to Greenpoint. The later farmhouse, standing until re- 
cently, was a little farther back from the Creek. 

a-a. Line oi ancient road from " Maspeth Kill" (Newtown Creek) along Dutch Kills to 
Burger Jorissen's Mill, thence to East River, laid out 1640-54. 

1. Site of yan Alst House (east side of Barn Street, north of I.. I. R. R.), Dutch Kills, re- 
cently removed. The original house, just south, was on the old farm of Jan Jansen of Ditmars 
("Jan Platneus,"' or t'lalnose). 1643, and on his death, in 1651, was sold to Joris btevensen, 
ancestor of the Van Alst fumily. The creek near by (Indian name " Canapaukah ' ) was called 
Caper's (privateersnian's) Kill, as Stevensen had been a seafaring man. The Van Alst burial 
ground, now almost blotted out, was at the intersection of Barn Street on the north side of the 
L. I. R. R. For an account of Indian events near by, see " New Amsterdam and its People," 
pp. 167-8. 

2. Payiiter House (Skillman Avenue, corner Jackson), probal)ly on tiie 
site of the house of Burger Jorissen, blacksmith of New Amsterdam (Ex- 
cursion VII., 22), who had a grant here in 1643. Here he built the 

3a. First mill in this part of Long Island (called Ryerson's Mill during the Revolution) ; 

3. The mill pond, now overgrown with reeds. The dam (just north of 
Skillman Avenue) was removed in 1861, when the L. I. R. R. was built. 

b-b. Burger's Sluice, constructed through the swamp to supply the 
pond, still exists in a few places as a dry ditch paralleling the railroad 
tracks. 



Continue on Stehiway Avenue car to Grand Avenue. 

4. She oi Joh?t Hullett's Fn^mhotise, southeast corner Otdind and Steinway Avenues. The 
large farm, patented in 1654 to Wm. Hallelt, lay northeast of this point. In the Revolution it 
belonged to Wm. Lawrence, a strong patriot. Here Mai. -Gen. Robertson took up quarters on 
August 30, 1776, and encamped 10,000 British soldiers north of the house. Two weeks later he 
withdrew, crossing to Westchester, and Gen. DeHeister's Hessians succeeded them. Many 
balls from the American battery at Hoorn's Hook fell on the heights back ot the house. 

5. Samuel Hallett Farmlionso, on a height north of the intersection 
of Newtown and Grand Avenues, is supposed to have been built by Samuel 
Hallett (a great-great-grandson of the patentee; see 17 p. 10) about 1752. 

6. Site of the House 0/ Wm. Hallett (grandson o( the patentee), near the corner of New- 
town and Jamaica Avenues, where (Jan. 2d, 1708), with his wife and five children, he was mur- 
di red by two of his negro slaves (" Riker's Annals," p. 142). 

c. Site of the Ridge Road to Dutch Kills, now nearly closed or obliterated. 

7. Mzddletown, a hamlet, begun about 1800, near the old schoolhouse 
of 1 72 1. Only one or two houses remain. 

Continue north on Steinway Avenue, passing on tJie left. 
B. LubberfSyOx the Great Siiiamp,([\-y now, as the trees have been cut. 
d-d. 0/d Bowery Road, now partly obliterated, laid out i638-'5o by 
settlers of the Poor Bowery and the Out Plantations. 

IValk east on tJie Old Bowery Road or Winthrop Avenue. 

8. Moore House (near Titus Street), one of the oldest buildings in New 
York, standing on what was once a parcel of 50 acres of woodland 
reserved by the West India Co., possibly for ship timber. After 1664 it 
was patented to Wm. Hallett, who had already bought up the Indian title. 
In 1684 he sold it to Captain Samuel Moore, son of the Rev. John Moore 
(sre p. 22), who built this house for himself and his son Joseph in 1690- '95. 
In 1769 it was sold to Jeromus Remsen. Here in 1757 several French 
prisoners of war were lodged on parole, and it is said that they spent much 
time hunting near by. About 1776 it was occupied by the militia officer. 
Colonel Jeromus Remsen, who had to take refuge in New Jersey during 
the British occupation. 

9. 10. 17th Century Houses, near the bend of the Bowery Bay Road. 
The Bowery Bay schoolhouse, built in 1829, stood near the bend. 

II. llapalye House (dating before 1750), probably on the site of the 
original homestead, and standing in front of the old family burying 
ground. Here Harck Siboutsen of New Amsterdam settled about 1650, 
receiving his ground brief in 1654. In 1729 his son Jacobus willed it to 
Abraham Lent, his nephew. Dr. Riker, a family connection, took refuge 
here from the British after the Battle of Long Island. About 1800 the 
house came into the possession of Isaac Rapalye, who held it nearly half a 
century. 



12. Riker Homestead, a rare example of property remaining in the 
same direct family line and name since the first settlement. Abraham 
Ryken married the daughter of Hendrick Harmensen, the first settler of 
this part of Long- Island, and secured the patent for this land in 1654. 
The present house is i8th Century in style and possibly contains part of 
the original house. 

C. The Poor Boiucry (North Beach), historically one of the most inter- 
esting portions of Long Island, was settled by Hendrick Harmensen in 
1638, when he brought cattle here from New Amsterdam. He was for 
several years the only farmer of the north side of Long Island, and was 
called " Henricus Agncola," " Hendrick, the Boor" (farmer) in the Dou^^hty 
patent of 1642. He was killed by Indians in 1643 and his widow suc- 
ceeded to the Bowery and married Jeuriaen Fradell of New Amsterdam in 
1645, who the same year obtained a ground brief for the farm from Kieft. 
It contained 154 acres, besides the " Houwelicken" (Dowry Island, later 
Luysters) of Bowery Bay, separated by a salt water creek. 

The deacons of the Dutch Church bought the farm before 1654, to 
establish maintenance for their poor, hence it was called " Armen" or " Poor 
Bowery." About 1688, they sold it to Pieter Cornelissen Timmermann 
(also called Luyster), the first of that family here. It remained until lately 
in the possession of the Couwenhovens (descendants of the last named 
owner). 

e-e. " The rivulet" surrounding the lands of " Hendrick the farmer" 
(as it is described in the Doughty patent of 1642), still flows south of the 
Bowery, draining 

D. Trains Meadow, used as a common fresh meadow by English set- 
tlers of Middelburg (Newtown) as early as 1662, some of the earlier drains 
being still visible. It was first recorded as " Long Traynes Meadow" 
(Long Drains Meadow?). It was divided among the settlers in 1678, and 
part is still a wild and secluded jungle. The "rivulet" was later called 
" Wessells" or " Lodowick's Brook," the Indian name being " Sackhich- 
neyah." 

13. Koinveiilioveii Farm house, now forming the rear of a hotel, prob- 
ably occupies the site of the original house of C. The whole tract is now 
the property of the North Beach Improvement Co. 

Continue through North Beach alotig the trolley line, crossing the 

bridge. 

14. Jackson's Mill Pond, now nearly dry. the mill (near the bridge) 
being operated first by Warner Wessells, and destroyed by the Indians in 
1655. It was re-established by Pieter Cornelissen Luyster, before 1670. 
It was later known as Kip's and Fish's Mill. 



f-f. 0/c/ ^<7(Z(f from the vicinity of the present Corona to this mill, laid 
out about 1662. 

15. Farmhouse of Abraham and John I. Rapalye fi 8th Century), just 
across the bridge on the right, on that part of the 13,000-acre tract patented 
by Rev. Francis Doughty (1642) reserved for his own use. It came to the 
Stevenson family and (about 1700) to Jesse Kip, their connection by mar- 
riage. The present house was probably built by Captain Thos. Hazard, to 
whom the farm belonged shortly after 1724. 

16. Site oi Rev. Francis Doughfy's House, or \.h.e house built by his son-in-law, Adriaen 
Van der Donck, the jurist and determined opponent of Peter Stuyvesant. It was on or near 
the site of the late Strong residence. It was for years the home of the Rapalye, Remsen and 
Strong families fin lineal descent), and is described by John Davis in his "Travels in America," 
i8oo-'oi as the seat of his frequent entertainment. A shore road probably existed at the time ol 
the original settlement. 

Return by trolley from North Beach or walk to the [ackson Ave/uie line. 

SECTION II.— ASTORIA TO STEINWAY. 

(Figures and letters refer to Map, p. 20.) 

Astoria Ferry from East g2nd Street, Manhattan. 

See on the left. Hell Gate, Groat and Little Mill Rock and Wards 
Island (Excursion V, 44) and Black well's Island on the south. Astoria 
was originally known as Hallett's Point; the bay just below the point is 
still called " Hallett's Cove" and that above " Pot Cove." The latter is the 
scene of the wreck described in Irving's " Knickerbocker History of New 
York." 

In i860, Astoria and Ravenswood were a favorite suburban residence 
district, but are now greatly deteriorated in portions. Until 1800 this was 
the almost exclusive possession of the Hallett family (see Historical Sketch). 

Walk up Fulton Avenue to Main Street, 

17. Hallett House (i8th Century), near northeast corner Main Street 
and Shore Boulevard, on or near the site of the ancient stone homestead of 
Wm. Hallett, original patentee of 1,500 acres here. The shore portion had 
been granted before 1638 to Jacques Bentyn of Van Twiller's Council, 
who is supposed to have built a house here destroyed by the Indians in 
1643. Ir* 1654 it was granted by Stuyvesant to Hallett, whose house was 

also destroyed by Indians in 1655, and rebuilt on the same spot about 1670, 
where it remained until supplanted by the present house, about a century 
later. 

18. Hallett House (opposite 17) on the site of the original house built 
by the patentee for his son William, prior to 1678, and burned in 1770. 



19- Stevens House (Boulevard, between Temple and Elm Streets) built 
for a country residence by General Ebenezer Stevens, who purchased the 
land from the Halletts not long after the Revolution, and named it " Mt. 
Napoleon." Here on July 14, 1813, he gave a dinner to Mayor DeWitt 
Clinton and several prominent military men on the occasion of the inaugu- 
ration of military works on Hallett's Point (known as " Castle Stevens" and 
" Castle Bogardus") for protection against the British. 

g-g. Suns2vick Creeks now small, but once sufficient to help feed a 

20. Tide mill pond at its mouth, once the property of Captain Jacob Blackwell, later 
known as Suydam's Mill. 

21. Blackwell stone homestead, built in the latter days of the i7lh Century, stood near the 
foot of Webster Street. 

h. Hallett Lane, from the old Hallett dock, followed the line of Main and Greenoak Streets 
(past the farm buildings of Wm. Hallett, Jr.), through St. George's Place, Welling Street 
(between the Hallett orchards), Main Street, Newtown Avenue and Grand Avenue to "The 
Narrow Passage" (see 44) and Newtown. 

22. Site of the Hallett burying ground, adjoining the old Astoria 
Methodist Church, built in 1843, and now used as stores and a tenement 
(near junction of Main Street and Fulton Avenue). 

23. Site of House of Jas. Hallett (great-grandson of the patentee) near corner Flushing 
Avenue and Hallett Street. Van Alst Avenue was laid out in 1774 as a narrow road between 
Jas. Hallett's garden and orchard to give the iarms along the river access to the cove and was 
provided with two swinging gates. It was in constant use by the British during the Revolution. 
(For other Hallett farms see 4, 5, 6 in Section I.) 

Walk Up the hill past the Public Library to Franklin Street atid 

go west. 

24. St. George's Episcopal Church, on the site of the first church 
erected at Hallett's Cove in 1828, the old graveyard lying just below. 

25. Blackwell Mansion, between Remsen and Woolsey Streets, one of 
the first houses erected here after the breaking up of the Hallett farms. 

Other Blackwell houses are at the northeast corner Franklin and Rem- 
sen Streets, and on Frankhn Avenue opposite Wardell Street. 

26. Reformed Dutch Church of Hallett's Cove, near Remsen Street, 
cornerstone laid in 1836. 

27. Presbyterian Church, near Stevens Street, erected 1846-7. 

Return on Franklin Avenue and go north on Woolsey Street to the 

Boulevard. 

i-i. Lawrence Lane (later Linden Street and now Hoyt Avenue), till lately lined with lin- 
dens. " Fly," " Vly," or " Vleieh Brook," loo feet south, separating the ) awrence and Hal- 
lett estates. It was named from Lubbert's Vly or swamp (see B, Sec. I) and its deep bed may 
yet be seen from behind houses on Hoyt Avenue. 

Walk along the Boulevard to Wint/irop Avenue. 
The Shore Road ("Boulevard ") about 1880 formed one of the finest 
roads about New York, being well macadamized, protected by a sea wall 



and lined with well-kept suburban residences. Although this section has 
deteriorated, it will probably remain a residence district, as the channel of 
the river is too narrow and the current too swift for docking purposes. 

28. Site of the Eiu'ird IVaalsey House, corner Woolsey Avenue, burnt in 1898. This tract 
was originally patented to Anneke Jans and later bought by Thos. Lawrence, who purchased 
all the farms in this neighborhood to lay the foundation of a great estate. A house was built 
just before 1726 when this part was sold to Joris Rapalye, who held it until 1768, when the house 
was burned and the farm came back to the Lawrences, and the late mansion was built. In Rev- 
olutionary days it was the home of Jonathan T^awrence, a wealthy New York merchant patriot, 
who was forced to abandon it during the British occupation. Philip J. Livingston lived here and 
the soldiers destroyed most of the timber. Later it came into the possession of the Woolseys, 
connected by marriage with the Lawrences. The parklike grounds lie neglected, but there is 
reason to believe that they may be purchased by the city for a public park. 

29. A. D. Ditmars House, corner Ditmars Avenue, on a tract origi- 
nally patented to Philip Geraerdy, proprietor of the White Horse Tavern (see 
" New Amsterdam and its People," p. 12). His widow sold it to the Law- 
rences, and Daniel Lawrence had a house and farm here prior to 1719, 
when he sold it to \Vm. Penfold,an English sea captain and marriage con- 
nection. 

The dock, just north, is said to have been the point of embarkation for 
the Hessians in their pursuit of the Americans through Westchester. 

After the war the place was bought by Dr. Dow Ditmars, whose son, 
Abraham D. Ditmars, was the first Mayor of Long Island City. The build- 
ing is over 100 years old and possibly contains portions of the original 
house. 

30. Ancient stone house, corner Wolcott Street, on a walled bank. 
Here, in 1653, Teunis Craie, town crier of New Amsterdam, obtained 74 
acres from the Dutch government (" New Amsterdam and its People," 
p, 89). In 1654 he leased it to his son Geurt, on condition that he and Ger- 
rittsen Vries clear 8 acres and deliver to him annually " 100 pieces of mer- 
chantable firewood." Improvements were stopped by the Indian war of 
1655. It was bought in 1681 by Hendrick Martensen Wiltsee, of Copen- 
hagen, who built a house on the site. He resisted the Lawrences' endeav- 
ors to obtain the property, and in 1706 he turned it over to his son Teunis, 
who sold most of it to Daniel and John Lawrence. The Wiltsees remained 
in the old house until 1737, when they sold it to Richard Berrien, and either 
he or Jacob Rapalye, the next owner, built the present house, which is one 
of the best preserved specimens of an i8th Century farmhouse. 

Turn east oti WiiitJn-op ATenue. 

d-d. Bowery Bay Road is now largely closed (see Section I). 

j-j. Berrien's Lane, running towards Berrien's Island. Near the shore 
stood once Cornelius Berrien's farmhouse, erected about 1727. At the 



13 

south end of the lane stood the \iU\e scAoa/ of 1735, on a lot one rod square, 
and used for 100 years. 

31. Wyckoff House (i8th Century), on the hill above Rapalye Street, 
on the site of the house of Simon Joosten, to whom 54 acres were granted 
in 1654. It was bought by the Lawrences, held until 1732, and then 
sold to Cornelius Wyckoff. (It is now called the Peter Rapalye House.) 

32. Couwenlioveii House (late 17th Century), on the site of the first 
residence of the Lawrences, who bought up in all 7-800 acres. In 1732 it 
was sold to Wm. Leverich, who held it for some years. 

33. Burial gTOUud of the Lawrence and Leverich families, nearly 
opposite 32, well kept and crowded with monuments. 

Return by Steinway car to J4th Street Ferty or transfer to A star /a, 

SECTION III. MASPETH AND LAUREL HILL. 

(Figures and letters refer to Map, p. 20.) 

Take Grand Street car from Manhattan terminus of W illia^nsburg 
Bridge, or Flushing Avenue [Newtorun) car from Brooklyn Bridge to Old 
Flushing Road* 

k-k. " Road from the Ferry" (Flushing and Covert Avenues, along east shore of Maspeth 
Kill, to the bowery of Joris Rapalye and Hans Hansen (Bergt-n), scene of Doughty's first 
settlement. The road was laid out by the Dutch settlers in 1642. In 1643 they were attacked 
by Indians, when most of the houses were destroyed, few ever being reoccupied. 

Walk west, crossing L. I. R. R. tracks to 

34. Queens Head Taveru, southeast corner Maspeth and Flushing Ave- 
nues, built supposedly by the town and leased by various landlords. It be- 
came a resort for soldiers during the Revolution, later was a well-known 
stage house and is still in good repair as a private house. 

35. l)e>Vitt Clinton House, built about 1725 by Joseph Sackett, Judge 
of Common Pleas. Riker claims that it was afterward the residence of 
Walter Franklin, an opulent New York merchant, till his death in 1780, 
and after him of Colonel Corsa, of French and Indian War fame. De- 
Witt Clinton married a daughter of Franklin, a niece of Corsa. 

36. The Town Dock stood just west, under the L. I. R. R. tracks, on a sall-water inlet 
nearly silted up at present. Here farmers brought their produce to be loaded on shallow 
market boats for New York. It was laid out by the commissioners in September, 1722, and 
used until the Revolution, when it became a landing place for British supplies, General Warren 
having headquarters in the Clinton House. In 1792 the Town voted to rebuild the dock at 
public expense and to erect a store house here, dockmasters being elected annually. After the 
establishment ol steam ferries it gradually fell into disuse and was finally abandoned in 1865, 
rapidly going to decay. 

37. Site of IVay Farmhouse on the knoll west of the dock, the original homestead of that 
family in Newtown. In 1815 the Furmans bought the place and erected a pretentious mansion 
now demolished, on the site. Two rooms were papered with scenes from Telemachus and 



14 

Parisian views. See the Mott private Iiurj iii§r ground near by. A later Furman house remains 
across the street. 

E. SmitJis Island (now called Furman Island), named from either 
Richard Smith (a partner of Francis Doughty in the first town patent) or 
Hendrick Barent Smith, an early settler whose land ran from Flushing 
Avenue. Here the Dutch laid out the village of Arnhem (see p. 5). 

Go back to j§ and walk north on Betts Avenue, passim^ on the left 

38. Uiiderhill Covert Farinhoiise, with several old barns, dating back 
to the early i8th Century. John Denman first located here about 1662. 

39. Site of the Brtts Homestead, recently torn down to make way for the Mt. Zion Ceme- 
tery, northeast corner Newtown and Betts Avenues. Here Captain Betts located in 1652, and 
here he lived until his death at the age of 100 in 1713. 

1. Old Brook School Road (including part of Newtown Avenue), used as 
a short cut to Calamus Creek and existing in 1682. Later it was extended 
south. 

40. Site of the Old Brjok School 1 louse, built about 1739, and only lately removed. 

m-m. Fresh Pond Road, so-called from a large pond now tilled at the 
southeast angle of this road and Mt. Olivet Avenue. It was laid out about 
1680 to give access to disputed lands near the present cemeteries of Cypress 
Hills and the Evengreens. 

S. Tract at junction of Fresh Pond Road and Cooper Avenue, divided and settled in 1684 
to prevent encroachment by Dutch settlers of adjacent towns. 

n-n. Calamus Road, the original road from the landing on Mespat Kill 
(Newtown Creek) to Middleburg, opened about 1651, being the first line 
of communication with New Amsterdam. It was later known as the Lower 
Road to Brooklyn Ferry, the Upper Road (modern Grand Street and Mas- 
peth Avenue) being laid out nearly half a century later. The calamus in 
the adjacent swamps gave rise to its name. On it remain several old farm- 
houses. 

F. The Maurice Woods, property of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
of the Diocese of Long Island, the gift of Congressman Maurice. The 
trees have probably stood since the Revolution, when much of the New- 
town forests were cut by the British. 

0-0. This portion of Betts Avenue was originally a wood lane of the 
extensive Betts estate, later an open road known as " Featherbed Lane." 

]]'alk west on Newtown Avenue, passing 

41. Alburtis House, on Laurel Hill Road, possibly including the frame 

of the house of Thos. Case, an eccentric Quaker, organizer of a strange 

religious sect, known as " Case's Crew." His wife interrupted the service 

in Rev. Wni. Leverich's church at Newtown in 1675, addressing him as a 



15 

"whited sepulchre," and demanding his resignation (Riker, p, 92). John 
Alburtis bought the land in 1682, and his family held it for over a century. 

42. Peter Debevoise House, corner Newtown and Celtic Avenues (now 
the property of Hugh McCullough), dating back to about 1780. Opposite, 
on Celtic Avenue, stands another Debevoise House of about the same age. 
Both are well preserved. 

The Newtown and Bushwick Turnpike (Shell Road) was opened about 
1840 (see p. 24). 

Return by Newtoivn Avenue car to Hunter s Point. 



* Side trip south ou Flusliiiig Avenue. 

Wixlk south on Old FlusJiing Road to 0?iderdonck Avemte. 

43. Cluster of old houses, marking some of the earliest settlements of 
Newtown, two on the west side of the road being well preserved : 

a. The Woodward or Woodard House, opposite the end of Woodward 
Avenue, supposed to have been built by Joseph Woodward about 1750, on 
a large farm containing a great orchard and cidermill. It previously be- 
longed to the Schencks, whose millpond can yet be distinguished by a cir- 
cle of decaying willow trunks. 

b. Tlie WyclioffParmliouse, just south, on the site of the house of 
Hendrick Barentsen Smit (seeE), one of the first settlers. After a bound- 
ary struggle of over 100 years between the towns of Bushwick and New- 
town, his farm was finally adjudged to be in Newtown, and on January 10, 
1769, the line was fixed at " Arbitration Rock," on the edge of the nearby 
swamp. 

SECTION IV.— HUNTER'S POINT AND WOODSIDE TO 

CORONA. 

(Figures and letters refer to Map, p. 20.) 

Take Jackson Avenue Trolley to Newtown Avenue, Woodside, passing 

on the right 

p-p. Site of the British Camp, along the Dutch Kills Road, traces of huts being visible 
until recently. 

WOODSIDE. 

44. *' The Narrow Passage," a tongue of dry land crossing formerly 
almost impassable swamps (now mostly drained), and occupied by the 
early road. It was an important strategical point in the Revolution and 
was guarded by the British. 

P. The Wolf Snvamp, ^ wet woodland until 1866-7, in early days infested by wolves. It 
is now drained in part and divided into lots forming part of Woodside. 

q-q. Ancient road torming Middelburg and pan of Woodside and Bowery Ray Avenues, 
connecting plantations of Bowery Bay and Dutch Kills, opened about 1655-60. 



16 

r-r. Woodside Avenue, from the town (Middelburg) to the Dutch set- 
tlements. 

45. Jackson 3Iaiisioii (corner Jackson Avenue and Bowery Bay 
Road), in large grounds, surrounded by the remains of an old forest. The 
house was built about 1802 by Wm. Paynter, ownei^*of the estate. 

Jackson Avenue was laid out about i860 as a toll road to Flushing. 

See along it three milestones marked respectively: "2 miles," "3 
miles " and " 5 miles from 34th Street Ferry" ("4, 3 and i mile from 
Flushing Bridge "). 

Go north on the Bowery Bay Road. 

45. Site of the yl/forc /^:j?-;«A«w.ft' (several blocks east on Jamaica Aveiiiie), adjoining the 
small burying ground now marked by some decaying evergreens. During the Revoluiion this 
property was owned by Nathaniel Moore, great-grandson of Rev. John Moore, first minister of 
the town. It was taken by the British after the Battle of Long Island and became the head- 
quarters of Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton. A straggling suburban settlement now oc- 
cupies the farm. 

47. Piirdy Farmlioiise (opposite (irand Avenue), built shortly before 
the Revolution and scene of the shooting of one of the soldiers of Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Thos. Sterling's Royal Highlanders, while on a marauding ex- 
pedition, by one of the slaves of Cornelius Rapalye, then owner (Riker, 
p. 207). 

48. llikei" Farmhouse (opposite Wilson Avenue), on pro])eity pur- 
chased in 1688 by Abraham Rycken (or Riker), who owned the farm north. 
In 1717 his son Abraham built the sinall house which forms the micidle of 
the present building. In the Revolution it was owned by his son. Jacobus 
Riker. In 1776 the house was plundered by the British and later the Hes- 
sians, encamped near by, took possession of the great oven and baked 
great quantities of bread for their men. 

Co cast on Ne%vtown and Woodside Avenin-s. 

49. The old Town Sprins? or Watering- Place (Woodside and Betts 
Avenues), on high ground 125 feet to the west of the road. Originaily it 
was known as Rattlesnake Spring, then Newton's Spring, from Captain 
Bryan Newton, in the Dutch service at New Amsterdam, who had in 1652 
a patent for the land running up to it. It still has a large flow. There 
was once a large tank or pool by the roadside for public use, but this plot, 
100 feet square, has been enclosed as private property, whether without 
extinguishing public rights is not known. 

50. The Cumberson House, just south, post-Revolutionary, replacing 
one of earlier date, was plundered by the British and later, near the close 
of the war, was attacked at night by British deserters, one of whom was 
shot fatally by Thos. Cumberson, then owner (Riker, p. 213). 



Return to Jackson Avcmic and take trolley to 
s-s. Trains Meadow Road and Old Bowery Road, laid out before 1678. 

51. Hazard (later Diiryea) Homestead, at the corner. The farm was 
owned as early as 1740 by Jas. Hazard, prominent in the Episcopal Church 
of Newtown. 

52. Rapalye House, of the middle i8th century. Daniel Rapalye had 
a large farm here about 1737, but this house seems of a somewhat later 
date. 

Co south on Junct/on Avenue crossing Jackson Avenue. 

t-t was a road from the town to Peter Cornelissen's mill, opened about 
1700. The two large mansions of Colonial style on the west side date 
about 1840 and occupy parts of the large farm of Colonel Edward Leverich 
a projector of the L. I. R. R. They are: 

53. Late residence of Clias. P. Leverich, once president of the Bank of 
New York, now deceased. 

54. Late residence of Henry S. Leverich, now deceased, 

55. "Fish's Store" (now closed), just across the Flushing Road, a 
curious shingled building occupied as a storehouse by Thos. Fish about 
1800-20. 

H. — "-iteofthe Fashion Race Course, \\v^ principal race course near New York i85o-'65, 
later supplanted by Jerome Park. The surrounding brick wall has mostly disappeared and the 
track has been cut up into lots. 

I, I. — Original home lots of first settlers ol Middelburgh. 

L. L. — On the west broad market gardens occupy what was once the "Common Fields" 
of the first settlers of Middelburgh. 

Return to Jackson Avenue and contitiue on car to 

56. Lent Farmhouse, at the angle of Flushing and Jackson Avenues 
(Montgomery Street), overlooking Flushing Bay, recently rebuilt and 
remodeled, probably on the site of the earlier house of John Ramsden, 
one of the first settlers, who died here soon after 1688. The second hou.se 
was erected about 171 2, a giant sycamore which overshadowed it having 
been preserved. During the Revolution it was occupied by Captain Thos. 
Lawrence. The 37th Regiment of British Grenadiers was encamped here, 
1 780-8 1, to guard it against the attacks of " whaleboat men " from the 
mainland. 

J. Jonckcrs Island (south shore of Flushing Ray), named for "Joncker" (lord) Adriaen 
Vanderdonck (first settler o( Yonkers), son-in-law of Rev. Francis Doughty (see 15, Sect. t). 
It was once well wooded land and a picnic resort of some fifty years ago known as St. Ronan's 
Well. The trees have di.sappeared and much building sand has been carr ed away from the 
■• island." 



57- Site of Rafialye House, on the south side of Flushing and Newtown Turnpike, on the 
farm occupied by Cornelius Berrien and his brother-in-law, Abraham Brinckerhoof, soon after 
1684 ; later by Joris Rapalye, a brewer, and his descendants ; though long untenanted, it was 
kept in good condition by the Elliot family on whose grounds it stood until burned in 1906. 

Go lip Summit Avenue and take Grand Street trolley to Corona Station 
Return by L. I. R. R. or take Section V. 

SECTION V. CORONA TO FOREST PA:|IK. 

(Figures and letters refer to Map p. 20.) 

Go east on 

u-u. Newtorvn and Corona Avenues, from the town to Coe's Mill, laid 
out on the line of the original road soon after the settlement of the 
town. 

58. Burroughs Fsirmliouse (i8th Century), well preserved. The fields 
of this farm included much of the village. The house is between Mulberry 
and Sycamore Avenues, on Newtown Avenue. 

59. Site of Shady Lake Farmhouse ot the Smith family, one-quarter mile farther down. 
Nothing remains of the ivy-covered house, the woods or the pretty lake. 

60,61. The ancient Coe Farmhouse and Coe's Mill opposite, three 
blocks beyond Strong's Causeway. The house dates back to about 1750 
and the mill was established by Captain John Coe about 1652, being shown 
on the Hubbard Map of 1666. It remained in the family until nearly the 
Revolutionary period, since which time it has been called Titus', Rapalye's 
or Carll's Mill and operated until lately. 

62. The Lott House, well preserved and about 100 years old, is just 
across the creek. 

Continue three-quarters of a 7nile to Hoffman Boulevard, passing woods 
and secluded farms on the left. 

63. Tozvn Watering Place, dating from latter half of 17th Century, the springs being col- 
lected from over two acres in an old stoned tank now filled with soil. 

v-v. and w-w. Supposed route of original roads from Middelburg to Coe's Mill and to 
Jamaica, changed about i''5o. 

x-x. Hoffman Bouleijard io Rusdorp (Jamaica) laid out before the iSth 
Century. 

64. Site of '' Hofedale Hall" (intersection Hoffman Boulevard and Union Turnpike), a 
small solitary house of unique architecture. 

Go luest from Hopedale along 

y-y. Whitepot Road, laid out early in the iSth Century. See several 
old farmhouses. 

65. Whitepot (now Hopedale) and the Whitepot Road, "pot" being 
probably a corruption of the Dutch " put," meaning " pit " or " hollow." It 
was at one time the bed of a large stream long since dried up. 



19 

66. Springsteen Homestead, beyond the L. I. R. R. bridge, where Cas- 
per Joost Springsteen settled in 1700. Much of the land around still be- 
longs to the family. Half a mile farther, at the intersection of Trotting 
Course Lane (leading to the South Meadows, laid out in 1668, and 
receiving its present name in 1821, after the laying out of the Union Race 
Course), see the 

67. Whitepot School, first established here in 1739, this being the 
fourth or fifth building. 

Go north on Trotting Course Lane. 

68. Tompkins Farmhonse, one-quarter mile north on a hill, on the 
west side of the road, built about 1760 by Samuel Waldron. During the 
winter of 1780, '81 the Royal Highland Regiment was quartered here, 
committing great depredations and forcing Waldron to give up to them the 
use of his blacksmith's shop. 

Directly west from the now half dry pond a lane runs one-quarter mile to 

69. Dry Harbor Road and the house of the late Judge Furman. The 

road was so called because it terminated in a cluster of farms. The house 
(of about 1750) faced a large pond, lately filled, surrounded by great black 
walnut trees, now mostly destroyed. 

Return a7id go south on Trotting Course Lane. 

70. Tan Duyu Homestead, in neglected grounds now owned by St. 
John's Cemetery. The Van Duyns were original settlers here. Captain 
Dow Van Duyn being active in the Royal service during the Revolution. 
In consequence the farm was confiscated by the state government after the 
war and sold to Thos. McFarran, a New York merchant. The house 
passed through several hands and for a time was untenanted and consid- 
ered haunted. In 1778-79 it was the guardhouse of the Royal Highland- 
ers. Later, it was for some time used in connection with a large dairy. 

M. Hempstead Swamp, lands allotted and clearing begun about 1670, when draining began. 

71. Remscn Farmhouse, one-quarter mile south on the opposite side 
of the road. This is possibly part of the original dwelling of Abraham 
Remsen, who in 1712 aided in clearing Hempstead Swamp. Hisgrandson, 
Jeromus Remsen, Jr., was Colonel of a regiment of Kings and Queens 
County Militia at the Battle of Long Island. The family were under con- 
stant British surveillance and the farm suffered many depredations (Riker, 
p. 188). 

72. Site of the Do7v Suydam Farmhnuse, built just below about 1736, and destroyed by fire 
a few years ago. 

73. Van Duyu Homestead, William having cleared the land and set- 
tled here about 1719. The family prospered and built the present dwell- 
ing before the Revolution. Shortly before that the estate was divided and 




MAP No. III. 
TOWN OF NEWTOWN 

EXCURSION XI. 
CITY HISTORY CLUB. 



while the north half was confiscated (see 70^ the south remained in the 
family. It was the last cleared land in this direction, running into forests 
reserved as hunting grounds by the Indians in their deed to Middelburg 
(1656), now forming Cypress Hills Cemetery and Forest Park, the latter 
being laid out about 1898. 

Go west on MetropoUtatt Avenue to Middle Village and take trolley to 

Brooklyn. 

SECTION VI. 

THE VILLAGE OF NEWTOWN (ELMHURST) CALLED MID- 
DELBURG BY THE DUTCH. 

(Figures refer to Map, p. 4.) 

Take L. I. R. R. [34th Street Ferry) to Elmhurst; or N. V. and Queens 
County Electric R. R. from foot Borden Avefiue, Long Island City 
{34th Street), to Broadway, Elmhicrst. 

This village was settled early in 1652 (Riker's statement, Annals of 
Newtown, p. 27). That it " was begun upon the street where the Presbyte- 
rian Church now stands, on both sides of which lots were laid out " is so 
inaccurate as to be entirely misleading. The house lots were laid out on 
the south side of the street (now Hoffman Avenue), and on the north side 
of Court Street, the intervening space being occupied by a wet tract trav- 
ersed by the small Horse Brook. The lots laid out in this space (about an 
acre or two each) were intended only for pasturage, and were so used for 
nearly a century. Then some small houses were built, a few of which 
have survived, giving an antiquated air to the neighborhood, while most of 
the other old houses have disappeared. 

Unfortunately the historic name was changed to Elmhurst a few years 
ago to satisfy the fancy of a real estate speculator. 

The itinerary begins at the north end of the old village, beyond the 
railroad station. Here at the northwest angle of Broadway and Shell 
Road see 

I. Moore House, the middle portion being probably the original home 
of Samuel Moore, son of Rev. John Moore, first minister at Newtown. 
The latter died in 1657, in occupation of the " town house " (10), his fam- 
ily being asked by Stuyvesant to vacate in February, 1661 (as it was public 
property), in favor of the newly-appointed schoolmaster. This date thus 
approximately fixes the date of this house, making it contemporaneous 
with the Bowne house of Flushing (14, Sec. VII), these being two of the old- 
est known houses in the vicinity of New York. In one of the records the 



23 

" barn lot '" of this farm is spoken of in 1663, implying the existence of the 
house before that time. The property has always remained in the family 
of the original owner. 

2. Woodward (later Victor) House (the north wing, i8th century). 

The original homestead (torn down about i88c) stood some distance 
north, the farm having been in the family from 1666. The barn was occu- 
pied by the British as a hospital and was the scene of the shooting by 
Thos. Woodward of a British soldier for stealing poultry (Riker, p. 214). 

3. riushiu^ Road, opened about 181 5 and long maintained as a plank 
road. 

4. Shell Road, constructed about 1840 of crushed oyster shells. 

5. Sxlftolxhe house of Daniel Bloom field, a resident before 1666. In 1840, after passing 
through many hands. It came to Samuel Lord, head of the old New York dry -goods house of 
Lord & Taylor. Thoug^h carefully preserved by the Lords, after building a large residence 
east of it, it was burned in 1872. 

6. Formerly a small brook occupied the line of the electric road. 

7. Okl Town AVateriiig Place, a small pond for watering cattle, re- 
ferred to in 1820 as having been in use " from time immemorial." It was 
enclosed by Samuel Lord in 1842 by permission. 

8. Clermont Terrace, built, 1850, by Samuel Lord as model suburban 
residences. 

9. Site of the " new house " (so called in 1689) of Content Titus, who 
had bought the old " town house " (10) in 1672, where he resided for a 
time. At a town meeting in 1689 it was resolved that the records be kept 
in this "new house." The house passed to his daughter Abigail, her hus- 
band, George Furniss, and through many other hands until destroyed, 
1905-6. 

10. Site of the ancient Town House of Middelburg or Neivtoivn, built about 1654 to be usea 
as a parsonage, for public meetings, and the holding of religious services, and first occupied 
by Rev. John Moore. After his death in 1657, the widow remained in possession of the prem- 
ises, including 20 acres. She married later Francis Doughty, son of Kev. Francis Doughty, the 
first patentee of Newtown. In 1661, on the appeal that this was public property, Suiyvesant 
ordered Doughty to give up the premises. In 1662 the building was repaired and newly thatched, 
two rooms being then lathed and plastered. In 1665, at a meeting of deputies from Long Island 
towns at Hempstead to settle various disputes. Governor Nicoll and the Assembly awarded the 
property again to Mrs. Doughty. In 1672 Content Titus, son of a New England pi(meer and 
a new resident, married Mrs. Doughty's daughter by Rev. John Moore, and bought the premises. 
He spent a long and active life h(;re, dying in 1730. For some time he allowed the town the 
use of the house for public meetings. The property was sold to Wm. Sackett, and in 1761 he 
lelt a large part of it, including the house, to St. James Episcopal Church, apparently as a rec- 
tory. There being no separate rector until 1797 (when Kev. Henry Van Dyke came), it was 
probably leased out. The English traveler, John Davis, wrote an interesting de.scriplion in 
1798 of the house. The date of its destruction is unknown. The present building is quite 
modern (about 1840). 



24 

II, 12. The present parsonage (separated by a narrow lane from lo) 
and the modern St. James Church, dedicated in 1849, when the old church 
(23) was abandoned. 

13, 14. Meadow 0/ //ic Church of St. James, and lane leading thereto, 
devised to the church by Wm. Sackett in 1761 . Part of the meadow, front- 
ing Main Street, has been built on for 50 years or more. 

15. Site of the second Totun House of Neivtown, built about 1677, and first used as a parsonage 
until 1695, when a house was purchased for the new minister. As the church was frequently 
without a pastor, it was probably occupied as a school and for town business. In 1747 it was 
superseded by a third Town House immediately adjacent, which was used until 1805, whtn a 
fourth was erected on the site of 15, remaining in use until 1851 (24a). 

The Newtown Hotel occupies the site of these buildings. 

15a. The Little Commons (marked on plan 4- + + + ) remained common until sold at 
auction in 1849, most of it being previously occupied by the Town House, etc., and a plot given 
the congregation of St. James for its first church; the bulk was leased for pasturage, etc. 

16. The Dutch Reformed Chnrch, built in 1733. octagonal in shape, 
with a high pitched roof, and used in the Revolution as a British powder 
magazine. It was taken down in 1831 and the present building erected in 
1832. 

Go cast on Ujiion A'voiue formerly 

17. Dutch Church Latic, or Dutch Lane, leading from the church to 
the old Common Field of the first settlers. Widened and extended in 1824- 
27 and now called Union Avenue. 

18. Negro Burial Ground, set apart by the town in 181 8, now occupied 
by an African church. The old lane (17) here took an abrupt turn (19) 
and the closed portion with a small grove adjoining was probably given for 
this purpose, on the straightening of the lane at the period named. 

20. The Comtnons or North Covimon Field iox the heavier crops, grain, 
tobacco, Indian corn, etc., where division fences need not be maintained, 
and where settlers could work in a body for security against Indian attacks; 
the "home lots" of 6-10 acres being used for small crops, houses, barns, 
pasturage, etc. It was laid out about 1663, north and east of points marked 
on plan. The land was divided about 1700. 

20a. Ludlow House, probably the only old house built (about the end 
of the Revolution) on the Commons Tract, on land owned in 1738 by 
Samuel Fish, who resided in the center of the village. 

21. Maj.-Gen. Robertson's ca}np,\\i&^'c\\.\i\\ prmy entering Newtown Aug. 30, 1776, three 
days after the Battle of Long Island. At night they are said to have committed great depreda- 
tions (Riker, p. 190). 

Return to Broad-ivay. 

22. Site of old Newtonvn Hotel (about 100 feet from cor. of Cook Avenue and Broadway), a 
tavern of the early iQlh century on land now belonging to the Reformed Church. 

23. The original St. James Episcopal Chnrch, built 1735 o" 'and 
granted by the town. It is well preserved and was used until the present 



25 

chuich (12) was erected; still in use on special occasions. The steeple at 
the west end was taken down a few years ago. 

24. Small neglected Burying- Ground in rear of the church. 

24a. Sixth Town Hall (now a police station since consolidation), built 
1893 on the site of the fifth Tmun Hall, erected 1851. The latter was an 
unpretentious structure, on the south side of which was later erected a small 
one-story brick Town Clerk's Office. The lot was originally an open space 
in the roads. 

25. The Toivii Spring at the rear of 24 (now filleil) and used till 24a was built, 

26. Site of the HoioarJ Farjiihousc (removed about 1S86), on ihe home "lot" of John 
Reoder, an original settler. It was probably the site of Reeder's house, built toward the end of 
the 17th century. 

Go east on Court Street. 

27. The Horse Brook, where the townspeople watered their horses. 

28. Early 19th Century house on the site of the house of Joseph 
Reeder, an old inhabitant whose family kept the property till 1736, when 
they removed to Orange County. 

28a. View of old village from Prospect and Chicago Avenues. 

29. Col. Beruardus Bloom's Farinhouse, on the farm composed in part 
of 3 home lots bought by Col. Bloom in 1742. The farm originally con- 
sisted of 40 acres purchased by John Brinckerhoof soon after 1700. It 
was long in the possession of the Suydams and has undergone several 
changes. 

30. Old Town Burial Ground, in which most of the first settlers were 
buried. In 1901 the remains of the first three pastors and two prominent 
la) men, including Content Titus (see 10), were reinterred in the Presby- 
terian burial grouud. Spasmodic, but unsuccessful, attempts have been 
made to clear the ground and put it in order. 

30a. The so-called Burroug'lis House (about 1700), on the site of the 
home of Wm. Stevenson, sold by him to Richard Betts in 1742, and in the 
Hetts family for nearly a century. It stands just west of the site of the 
house of John Burroughs, an original settler, long the Town Clerk. In 
1674, for sending a communication to Gov. Andros reflecting on the Gov- 
ernment, he was ordered to be fastened for an hour to the whipjjing |)ost in 
frcjnt of the City Hall in New York with a paper on his breast setting forth 
his offence (Riker, j). 91). 

30b. Colonial House (about 1750), on the site of the house of Edward 
Jessup, an original settler, whose extensive farm was considered to mark 
the end of the town, as in i66o a thief was sentenced to walk from the 
Town House through the village "with two rods under each arm, and the 
drum beating before him until he comes to Mr. Jessup's House." 



26 

Return to Broadway. 

31. The Corner House (Broadway and Jamaica Avenue), erected about 
1 7 16 by Jonathan Fish, who had here a tavern famous for a century, liis 
son Samuel keeping it (1723-67). In 1756 some Acadian exiles were 
boarded here by the authorities. During the Revolution it was kept by 
Abraham Rapalye, a headquarters of loyalists, refugees and British officers 
and men, when its ballroom on the upper floor was the scene of much 
gaiety. In 1776 Wm. Sackett, a prominent "rebel" here under arrest, 
escaped after getting his guards drunk. After the war it was called the 
Union Hotel, but was purchased with 11 acres of ground in 181 7 by the 
Presbyterian Church, and used until 1821 as a parsonage, when it was sold 
and used first for a store and then for a long period as a private residence. 
(There is a modern house on the present corner.) 

It stands on the site of the house of Ralph Hunt, an original settler. In 1668 this house and 
outbuildings were burned, and in 1671 Hunt gave land for the construction of the first church 
building in Newtoiun, services having previously been held in the Town House, which was just 
then decided to be private property (see lol. 

In this church (enlarged in 1694) Lord Cornbury inducted, against the will of the people, 
Rev. Wm. Urquhart, an Episcopal clergyman. For preaching in it in 1707, a visiting Presby- 
terian minister, Rev. John Hampton, was by Cornbury's warrant arrested and imprisoned in 
New York. In 1715 the church, again in the hands of the people, was formally reorganized as 
Presbyterian. In 1716 the new church was built (see 32). 

3ia-b. 01(1 Road to the Ferry or Calamus Road (see n-n, p. 14). 

Go west oil Calanncs Road to Railroad track. 

31C. Farmhouse of Jonathan Hunt [}) dating perhaps from 1700. 

3id. Upper Road to the Ferry, laid out about 1696, along which Aug. 
30, 1776, Maj.-Gen. Robertson's detachment entered Newtown, "driving 
before them large quantities of cattle" (Riker, p. 190). 

Return to Jatiiaica Road. 

32. The old Presbyterian Church and burial g-round, erected 1716 
(see 3T). After the British entry much damage was done this church by 
the loyalists, because the Presbyterians as a rule favored the American 
cause. Part of the steeple was sawn off and lowered to the ground at night 
by a band of young men ; the building was then used as a guard house and 
military prison, and afterward demolished. The present structure was 
built 1787-91 and is still used on special occasions. The stone church 
opposite was made possible by a special bequest in 1893. 

33. Presbyterian Parsonage, built 1821 on the site of an orchard be- 
longing to the " Corner House " (31), where Whitefiekl preached in 1764 to 
a large congregation. 

34. Large house end of i8th Century, builder unknown. 

35. Horse Brook Road (see 27). 



27 

36. Site oi the Bar/c M/// and Pond of Wvi. Vallcnce, 1721. The 
house here may be of the same date, but reconstructed. The pond is 
now drained. 

Return to [ainaica Road. 

yj. House of Samuel Keuue, or the Brettoniere House (from a later 
owner), now completely modernized, formcrl) of Colonial style and pre- 
Revolutionary. It was for a time the headquarters of Sir William Howe, 
Commander-in-Chief of the British forces. From this house a week later 
he sent an account of the Battle of Long Island to Lord Germain in 
England. 

38. 'S>\\.e oiihe enca7>!/>)i!ei!t of Royal IVelsh Ft(sileer%, vestiges of whose huts have been 
found on the hill behind 37. 

38a. Site of the Baptist Church, erected about 1S09, long closed. In 1857 it was removed 
to another site and known as "Association Hall." 

39. Site of the Quaker Meeting-House, erected 1722 and burned 1844. 

40. Site oi \.\\& so-ca.\\ed House of Jacob Field, a. smuW ons-story slone building with loop- 
holes in the garret; probably the home of an original settler; removed a few years ago. 

41. Road to South Meadows, opened 1668. 

42. Modern house on the site oi Jafites Smith's house (an originial settler) built about 1700, 
and recently torn down. Several other small cottages stood between this and 43 but were early 
demolished, these lands being consolidated to make up the Presbyterian parsonage/arm. 

43. The Parsouage Farmhouse (sold 1811 and then called the 
T/ioiiipson or Odek/rk House) \waiShvii\t about 1750 on the site of the 
original parsonage (purchased by the congregation in 1695 with 12 addi- 
tional acres). The Town had previously (1678) set apart 50 acres here for 
the minister's use. 

N. On Map 2, page 4, is said to have been an artificial lake formed by 
beavers and covering the low grounds between Middell)urg and modern 
Winfield. It was drained and divided among the inhabitants in 1678, at 
which time and long after it was known as Smith's Meadows. 



28 




29 

SECTION VII.— FLUSHING. 

(Figures and letters refer to Map, p. 28.) 
Lons; Island or North Side Radroad to Fhnhini^. 

Settlement begun, spring of 1645, by a small band of English colonists, given permission by 
the authorities at New Amsterdam. Although later a few Dutch arrived, the English always 
predominated. These settlers came to possess coniparatively large tracts of land, but settled 
together upon their " home lots "in the small village of Flushing. Unfortunately, the Town 
Records were destroyed by fire in 1789, together with the house of the Town Clerk, Jeremiah 
Vanderbilt, through the act of a negress slave, who was hanged therefor in the following year. 
The nearest village in early days in this part of Long Island being Hempstead, 15 miles distant 
through the forests, the only access of the settlers to the outside world (chiefly, of course, to 
New Amsterdam) for a lew years was by water through the East River and Flushing Creek. 

OLD ROADS AND FAMOUS SITES IN FLUSHING VILLAGE. 

a-a. Early road, probably before 1650 (Main Street extended south), to intersect the road 
(once an Indian path from the Great Plains to the East River) made by Hempstead settlers to 
New Amsterdam. Part of it may have run much to the west of the present road. 

b-b. The Rocky Hill Foad (following portions of Sanford. Parsons and Queens Avenues), 
leading to the southeast part of Flushing patent, intersecting the path to Hempstead and 
shortening the distance thereto. 

c-c. Fresh Meadoiv Road, branching south from bb, both being shown 
on the Hubbard Map of 1666. 

d-d. Road to fF////t'.fAwc' (now Whitestone Avenue), one branch con- 
tinuing east to several farms along shore at " The White Stone; " the other 
branch is the 

e-e. Road to Lawrreiice Neck, now College Point. 

1. First Landing Place, later site of the Town Dock. A crooked lane (now Old Lawrence 
Street) led to the same and to 

2. Ltiwrence Homestecd, supposed to have been on or near the site of the present Lawrence 
residence west of (New) Lawrence Street. 

3. The first diuellings, south side Bridge Street (originally the upper part of Lane to the 
Town Dock) and on both sides of Main Street near its head. 

4. The 7Vzy« /'(?««' originally on the site of the Public Square and vicinity; used for water- 
ing the cattle, etc. It received several springs east of Main Street, and ran oflf through swampy 
woodland to the north. It was filled up about 1843. 

5. The Block Mouse (in 1704 called the Guard House; about on the present site of the New 
Armory, built for defense against the Indians in 1645. It was employed for town meetings and 
here, in 1646, the Rev. Francis Doughty preached until 1648, when, for derogatory remarks 
against the Dutch authorities at New Amsterdam, it was closed against him by the Schout. 
Herein 1704 the Rev. Wm. LIrquhart held the first Episcopal services in the town. In 1776 
the British pulled it down for firewood. On its site in 1827, the Orthodo.x Quakers (as opposed 
to the Hicksites, whose meeting-house stands still a little to the west) built their first place of 
worship. 

6. Site 0/ Prince's Nuncry (1737, see Waller's History of Flushing), in 1750 famous and 
known as the Linnaean Botanic Garden (consisting of eight acres) forming part of Farringlon's 
Neck on which (site unknown) stood the earliest tide mill ol the town. 



3° 

During the Revolution the Garden was preserved by special efforts of the British officers. 
It was visited by Washington in the fall of 1789. In 1841 Linnafus (now Prince Street) was 
opened and the land given up to building. 

7. Site of the British Beacon or signal pole, line of Washington Street, west of Bowne 
Avenue. It was in Ime with one ten miles east on Sutton's Hill, Cow Neck (Manhasset) and 
another on Norwich Hill, south of Oyster Bay, eighteen miles distant. 

8. Site of British Battery, commanding the village on high ground 
opposite Bowne Avenue. 

A. FLUSHING VILLAGE. 

Itinerary begins at bridge of the Whitestone Branch of the L. I. R. K. 

9. Prince Mansion (later i8th Century), well preserved, corner Bridge 
Street and Lawrence Avenue. 

10. Hamilton Hall, southwest corner Washington and Garden Streets, 
built originally at Main and Locust Streets, in 1803, as a parish academy 
by St. George's Episcopal parish, but, not meeting success, it was removed 
in 1 8 10 to its present site. 

Go East on Broadway. 

11. Old Qnaker Meeting-House, Broadway above Main Street, built 
1694-5, on 3 acres bought 1692 by the Quakers for this purpose and a 
burial ground. In 1696 they held their Yearly Meeting here for the first 
time, and in 1702 the Rev. George Keith of the Church of England at- 
tempted to preach here, but was prevented. The building was shingled, 
plastered and repaired in 1704, and the Quaker records say a new building 
was erected in 1 719,— meaning probably some addition. The British used 
it as a barracks, hospital and store-house, but in 1783 it was repaired and 
restored to its original use (Onderdonck " Friends in New York and Long 
Island," pp. 04-95). 

Go IVeslon Whitestone Avetiue. 

12. Mitchell House, pre-Revolutionary, headquarters of Col. Hamilton 
of the British army, at the southeast corner Whitestone and Bayside 
Avenues. 

Return to Broadway. 

13. Aspinwall House, south side of Broadway, east of Union Street, 
probably built by John Aspinwall (about 1760), a New York merchant, 
and a British headquarters in the Revolution. 

Go east on Bowne Avenue (formerly Bowne's Lane). 

14. Bowne Homestead, on an old lane now widened and called Bowne 
Avenue, corner Washington Street, one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of 
buildings extant in the vicinity of New York. It was built by John Bowne, 
an English Quaker, who settled here about 1655. For opening it for the 



31 

Quaker conventicles he was arrested by the Dutch authorities in 1662 and 
sent, in 1663, for trial to Holland. But he was soon released, and he re- 
turned in 1665 (after the surrender to the English), and his house con- 
tinued to be used for Quaker meetings, the celebrated George Fox being en- 
tertained here in 1672 on his visit from England (see 15, Sect. VIII). It is 
now a historical museum under the care of Miss Parsons,* and con- 
tains much colonial furniture, copper, silver and brassware, wearing ap- 
parel, etc. The sides of the house are covered with hand-made shingles. 

15. Fox Oaks, once nearly opposite the Bowne House, now marked by 
a tablet on a boulder at the edge of the street (erected by the Flushing 
Historical Society, October 12, 1907), stating the fact that George Fox 
(founder of the Society of Friends) preached here in 1762. 

Go down IVas/n'/igton to Alain Street and ivalk south. 

16. Old house (end of i8th century), 27 Main Street, raised and a 
modern story placed beneath It. Other old houses similarly disguised may 
exist in the neighborhood. 

17. St. (ileorge's Episcopal Church (about 1850), opposite 18 and in 
front of the church built in 181 2, still used for church purposes. The tirst 
Episcopal services were held in the Block House (see 5); then a church 
was built here in 1746, the land being given in 1749 by Captain Hugh 
Wentworth, and the original building completed in 1761 through the 
liberality of John Aspinwall (13). 

Tablet (erected in 1803) within the church, in memory of Francis 
Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who was church 
warden here in 1765-90. 

18. Garretson House, east side, between Lincoln and Locust Streets 
(latter 17th Century), a well-preserved farm house. 

19. Flushing: Institute (Amity Street), built in 1827, later known as 
St. Ann's Hall, and in 1845 turned by Ezra Fairchild into a famous board- 
ing school for boys for almost 50 years. 

20. St. Thomas Hall (corner Jamaica and Parsons Avenues), built 
1838-9 ; became known later as St. Joseph's Academy for young ladies. 

21. Sanford Hall (Jamaica Avenue south of Franklyn Place), originally 
the stately mansion of Nathan Sanford, Chancellor of the State of New 
York, who in 1822 bought up several farms fronting on the present Jamaica 
Avenue and built this house in 1836. Dying soon after, the house, with its 
park-like grounds, running back to Parsons Avenue, came into the posses- 
sion of Dr. John Macdonald, who here established a celebrated private in- 
sane asylum. 

♦ Fee for admission, 25 cents; address for information Miss Parsons, 371 Broadway, Flushing. 



OUTLYING POINTS. 

(See Map, p. 3.) 

B. South of F"lushing Village. 

22. Tract of tJie M'illctt fajitzly (southwest of the village and extending to the Jamaica line), 
separated from its outlying farms by Kissena Brook. The site of the homestead is not known , 
but Thos Willett, an English soldier in the Dutch service at New Amsterdam, left two children , 
William and Thomas, by his wife Sarah, who later married Charles Bridges, an English officer 
under the Dutch, and called by them Caret van Brugge (New Amsterdam, p. 192 et seq.). Bridges 
and his family became early residents of Flushing and he was one of the patentees named in 
the Flushing town patent in 1664. He claimed some interest in the above tract of land whether 
in his own right or ihat of his wife. Alter his death in 1682, a patent was issued to his brother 
Thomas and to Ihos. Willett, stepson of Charles Bridges. 

23. Willett Burial Groniul is at north end of Cedar Grove Cemetery. 

24. Spring Hill Kstate (Remsen Avenue and Mill Read), of Lieutenant-Governor Cadwal 
lader Golden, part of the Willett property bought by Golden in 1762. He held the office of act 
ing Governor of New York more than si.x years, between 1760-1775, and spent his last days here. 
His son David aiding the British, the farm was sold under forfeiture after the war and has 
passed through several hands, not being well kept up of late years. 

Fresh Meadow Tract (south of Flushing Ceinetery), was settled in 
early days and many British troops were quartered here in the Revolution. 

24. Diiryesi Farm House, near the south end of Flushing Cemetery, serv- 
ing as British headquarters. 

25. Lawrence House (Lawrence Road, east of Fresh Meadow Road). 

26. West House (west of Fresh Meadow Road, south of North Hemp- 
stead Road). 

27. Old house (corner Black Stump Road and Fresh Meadow Road). 

28. Wrig-lit Homestesid (?) half a mile west on the Jamaica Road 
(south of North Hempstead Road), small, and perhaps dating back to the 
early i8th Century. 

C. SOUTHEAST CORNER OF FLUSHING TOWNSHIP. 

Bat reached from Floral Park Station, L. I. l\. R. 

2g. Dongan or Earl 0/ Limerick'' s Plantation, granted to Gov. Dongan in 1683 and including 
400 acres of woodland, Hempstead adding 400 acres of woodland and prairie north of Floral 
Park and Hyde Park. He spent some time here and planned to entail it to his nephews, but 
it was sold after his death to pay his debts. Peter Smith, in 1720, bought the part containing the 
house, which lay on the east side of the road leading from Floral Park. 

30. Farm house of about 1750, well preserved, half a mile north of 
Jericho Turnpike, the only ancient house site on Dongan tract. Probably 
Dongan's house was of a similar type, stories of his living in state in his 
" Manor of Queens Village" to the contrary notwithstanding. 

31. StriclilancVs Tavern: site (Jericho Turnpike and Rocky Hill Road) antedating the 
Revolution and plainly depicted on Stewart's Map of 1797, even the wagon sheds and sign boards 
being shown. 



33 

D. MURRAY HILL. 
Reached froDi Murray Hill Station, L. I. R. R. 

32. TheW. Bowne residence (see Map, p. 3, Mitchell Avenue and 4th 
Street), formerly a stately mansion in a large grove, approached from 
Broadway by a wide drive shaded with tall elms. But streets have been 
cut through^and small houses erected near by, destroying the original pic- 
turesqueness. 

33. Murray Homestead, of Dutch Colonial style, built about 1775, 
south side of Broadway, east of Murray Lane, Murray Hill, and the home 
of the family connected with the Murrays of Murray Hill, Manhattan 
(Exc. V, Sect. 4) ; present Mr. Joseph K. Murray is a great-grandson of the 
famous Mrs. Murray, who aided in the saving of Washington. 

E. COLLEGE POINT AND WHITESTONE. 
{Reached from College Point Station, L. I. R. R.) 

34. Lawrence Farmhouse, on the Lawrence Neck Road (f-f) now 
3d Avenue and 2ist Street, College Point, east of the railroad crossing. 
It is of the 1 8th Century ; in fairly good condition. 

35. Wolf Pit Hill Farm, of the Powell family, in Whitestone, on the 
same road, east of Whitestone Road (probably about 1750). 

36. IStli Century House, on the same road (here called Haggerty's 
Lane), east of nth Avenue, in good condition and owned by S. D. Smith 
about i860, and later by J. D. Locke, a large landowner in this vicinity. 

37. Old Landing and Ferry to Westchester, reached by a lane, traces 
of which remam west of the railroad, called Ferry Road. Here, Deceinber 
15, 1708, Governor Lovelace landed on his arrival after a rough passage 
from England. He reached New York by land two or three days later. 
June 17, 1726, Francis Doughty and others received a patent for the ex- 
clusive right of maintaining a ferry from here to the mainland, although 
it had probably been a crossing-place for some time. 

38. Fort Hamilton, shown roughly on the Stewart Map as on the low 
bluff just east of the L. I. R. R. sheds. It was built by the British during 
their occupation of Long Island and named for Colonel Archibald Hamil- 
ton, of Flushing, a prominent British commander. Remains consisting of 
brick, inasonry, etc., were unearthed here in December, 1907. 



34 




35 



SECTION VIII.— JAMAICA. 

(See Map p. 34.) 
Take L. I. R. R. to Jamaica. 
As no complete history of this town has been written, the chief facts 
must be gleaned from memorials of the several churches, scattered rec- 
ords and old maps. The first settlers, all English, purchased the land 
from the Yemacah Indians (hence the name) and made the first settlement 
at the intersection of the Hempstead Road (to New Amsterdam ferry) with 
the Flushing Road. The Dutch authorities called the settlement "Rust- 
dorp" (frequently spelled " Rusdorp"), but this name was soon abandoned. 
The Yemacahs probably were located along the banks of the stream con- 
necting Beaver Pond with Jamaica Bay. (For other historical notes see 
Historical Sketch, p. 5). 

1. %\x.& oi Beaver Pond [na-w filled', once occupying the space between Beaver, South and 
Church Streets and Rockaway Road. 

2. The Parsonage Lot (east angle Fulton and Beaver Streets, extend- 
ing toward i), reserved from the beginning, and on which was erected a 
parsonage in or about 1662. It was used for other town purposes, includ- 
ing the 

3. Town Burial (Jround, occasioning a long contention between the 
Presbyterians and the less numerous Episcopalians, Lord Cornbury con- 
fiscating it for the use of the latter. The Rev. Mr. Hubbard was accord- 
ingly ejected July 4, 1704, and the Rev. Wm. Urquhart, the newly-appointed 
Episcopalian incumbent, although violently opposed by the townspeople, 
held it until 17 10. Then, through the marriage of a Presbyterian theologi- 
cal student to the daughter of Urquhart's widow, it came back to the Pres- 
byteriansand was held by them until 1813, when sold. See the Memorial 
Cliapel of the Laidlaw family in the east end of the yard. 

Walk tiorth to Fttlton Avenue. 

4. Site ot the first Meeting and Sessions House, on what seems to have been originally part 
of the Parsonage Lot ^west corner Fulton and Beaver Streets), built about 1663, and used for re- 
ligious as well as town meetings (N. Y. Ecclesiastical Records, p. 1892); it was only 26 leet 
square. Governor Nicoll having determined to organize Jamaica with adjoining territory for 
judicial and legislative purposes into " the West Riding of Yorkshire," proposed that the Long 
Island towns lay special taxes to erect a larger building at Jamaica as a Sessions and Meeting 
House. This was done in 1667, the new Sessions House and prison standing next to the old town 
house, which later was made an annex to the prison. Slill later, the Jamaica Hotel occupied 
this spot for many years. 

IVa/k west on Fulton Street. 
5. Tlie Diitcli Cluircli (corner Church Street), on the site of the first 
church (built 1716), an octagonal structure, and of the second (1832), 
burned in 1857. Previous to I7i6the congregation worshipped with the 



36 

Presbyterians in their temporary meeting house about 1704 (see 12). See 
notice in front of the church with coat of arms and date of organization, 
1702. 

6. The King" Mansion (incorrectly called " Manor," as there never was a 
" manor " in Queens County — it being inconsistent with the township system, 
under which this part was settled), erected about 1750, and in 1805 becom- 
ing the country seat of Rufus King, one of the first two New York 
senators; also of John A. King (son of Rufus), governor from 1856 to 1858. 
Though severely simple, this house formerly presented a very imposing 
appearance, owing'to its extensive grounds, surrounded by a thick hedge of 
large forest trees. 

The grounds are now public property, known as King Park, and the 
mansion (bought by the town in 1896) is fitted up in part as a colonial 
museum under the care of the " King Manor Association." It is free and 
open to the public on Mondays (for information address Mrs. E. C. Chick- 
ering, Sec. King Manor Association, Jamaica, N. Y.). 

Walk east on Ftdtoii Street. 

7. Grace Episcopal Churcli (east of Church Street), on the site of the 
first church of 1734 and the second (1822), burned in 1861. 

8. Original site of Union Hall Academy (southwest corner Fulton and Washington Streets), 
a famous educational institution (the third academic building on Long Island, after East 
Hampton and Flatbush). erected by voluntary contributions about 1792, and succeeded in 1820 
by a larger edifice, the later 

9. Union Hall Academy (west side Union Hall Street, near L. I. R. R.), 
still standing and now used for dwellings. The old hall continued in use 
for some time as a female seminary, but was burned in 1841. The prin- 
cipal was Miss Eliza McHanna, a native of Ireland, who, in 1S32, married 
the Rev. Wm. Thompson, an American missionary, whom she accom- 
panied to the Holy Land, dying soon after in Jerusalem. 

10. Site of the Court House of 1709 (apparently occupying part of the site of the present 
County Clerk's Office), where in 1710 the Episcopalians held services until 1734. A new Court 
House was built in 1786 near Mineola. 

11. Van Wyck House, southwest corner New York Avenue. 

12. Site of the first Presbyterian Church building (middle of Fulton Street, southwest of the 
present structure) " a stone church with a high spire and a bell," erected in 1699, but seized 
(July, 1703) by the Episcopal rector, the Rev. Mr. Bartow, who was backed by Lord Cornbury. 
The latter forbade the Presbyterians to use it, but in 1708, after Gov. Lovelace's appointment, 
the Vfio sects used it alternately, by advice of the colonial authorities. In 1710 the Episcopalians 
were excluded, and in 1727 the Presbyterian claims were confirmed by the Court, and they used 
this building until the present church was built. 

13. The Presbyterian Clnirch, erected 1814 (see 12). 

14. Colonial Hall (opposite 13) opened in 1843 '"^s a female seminary, 
under Miss Mary Adrain, remodeled about 1897 by E.\-Sheriff Wm. C. 



37 

Baker, to be used as a public hall and for club rooms, and now used as a 
boarding house. 

15. Site of Henry Towtisend's House (northwest corner Clinton Avenue, where in 1657 he 
sheltered some Quakers who had come to Mew Amsterdam, presumably bound for Rhode 
Island. They had landed at Flushing, which they were compelled to leave, Wm. Hallen's ban- 
ishment for harbormg Baptists having proved the hostile attitude of the authorities. Finally 
John Bowne placed his house at their disposal (see p. 14). 

ID. Siti: of the a/d wind ;iiM {see early plan of Jamaica) south of Fulton and east ot Canal 
street, a venerable round building, in later years used as a carpenter shop. Its wooden 
" wings " were blown down in 184 1. 

Outlyi?ig points north of Fulton Street. 

17. Old House (i8th Century) southwest corner Flushing Avenue and 
Willett Street, 

18. Site of Duke's U'ooJs on the hill portion of the King Farm, where could once be seen 
the grave of " Uuke," a negro slave, the inscribed headstone battered with the bullets o 
thoughtless sportsmen. 

Points south oj Fulton Street. 
(See Map, p. 3.) 

19. Baisley's Mill roud, near Locust Manor, where the bones of a 
mastodon brought here in the glacial drift were discovered in 1858. 

20. Duryca's Rlill site, " Three Mile Mill " southwest of 19 near its outlet, famous in early 
days. 

21. Seat of Citizen Genet, on the Rockaway Road, south ot ig (as shown on the Stewart 
Map of 1797) on a farm ot 370 acres conveyed to him by his father-in-law, DeWitt Clinton 
October 17, 1795. Although recalled by the French government at Washington's request, be- 
cause of hismsolence and arrogance, and insults to the administration, he continued to live here, 
as a private citizen for several years, ending his days in the northern part of the state. 

22. Dituiars Farm House, corner Rockaway Road and Lincoln Avenue 
claimed to be about i8o years old. 

23. (xreeuwood House, Lincoln Avenue near Hawtree Creek Road. 

24. Old House on Hawtree Creek Road about half a mile below 23. 

25. Van Sicklen House and ancient barns, on Road to Bergen's Land- 
ing, just southwest of 23. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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